Kyiv says 11 countries sought help countering drones
Ukraine has received 11 requests for assistance in shooting down drones fired by Iran, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Monday, as the Middle East conflict entered its second week. Zelenskiy said the approaches came from countries neighboring Iran as well as from the United States and Europe, reflecting growing demand for air-defense know-how as regional attacks spread.
In a statement posted after a national security meeting, Zelenskiy said Ukraine’s experience protecting civilians and infrastructure has become a practical export of expertise, spanning interceptor drones, electronic warfare capabilities and training.
Ukraine aims to turn battlefield experience into leverage
Kyiv has spent years adapting to large-scale drone warfare, facing repeated Russian strikes using systems based on Iranian designs. Zelenskiy framed the outreach as evidence that Ukraine’s tactics and tools have become relevant beyond Europe, while emphasizing that assistance will be tied to partners who support Ukraine’s defense and sovereignty.
Ukraine is also using the moment to reinforce its message to allies that it still needs more advanced systems, especially equipment capable of intercepting ballistic missiles, which have continued to feature in Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities.
Jordan deployment and talks on interceptor drone purchases
Zelenskiy said Ukraine had already taken steps following some of the requests, citing “concrete decisions and specific support,” without detailing which countries received what help. In separate comments, he said Ukraine sent interceptor drones and a team of specialists to help protect U.S. military bases in Jordan after a request from Washington.
Interceptor drones, typically costing only a few thousand dollars, are increasingly viewed as a cost-effective layer against mass drone attacks. Ukrainian defense firms have been expanding production, in part with an eye toward future exports. Zelenskiy also said Ukraine will evaluate additional requests on a case-by-case basis to avoid weakening its own air defenses.
Balancing external support with domestic air-defense needs
Ukraine’s leadership signaled that any outward assistance will remain constrained by operational realities at home. Zelenskiy said Kyiv would decide what else it can provide “without reducing our own ability to defend ourselves,” underscoring that Ukraine’s priority remains protecting its cities and critical infrastructure amid ongoing Russian strikes.
The requests highlight how rapidly drone warfare lessons are spreading across regions, and how states are increasingly looking for low-cost solutions that can scale quickly when conventional air-defense interceptors are limited.